Section 1 1

Need of Sadhana

Summary (in English)

This set of slokas from the text highlights the profound need for spiritual practice, known as *sādhanā*. Starting with reverence to Govinda, the epitome of supreme bliss and true wisdom, the slokas underscore the rare opportunity given by divine grace to attain human birth, deep yearning for liberation (*mumukṣutva*), and the companionship of enlightened beings. They emphasize the critical importance of discernment between the self and the non-self, illustrating that realization and liberation come through self-knowledge and not mere ritual actions. The slokas stress the necessity for self-effort to transcend worldly existence and attain liberation through disciplined practice, wise association, and intellectual inquiry. True understanding is achieved through thoughtful analysis and correct comprehension rather than mere ritualistic activities. A sincere seeker must exhibit intelligence, wisdom, detachment, and a strong desire for liberation, guided by a compassionate and realized guru who aids in unveiling the truth of the self, emphasizing wisdom over ritual.

सारांश

इन श्लोकों का संग्रह साधना या आध्यात्मिक अभ्यास की गहन आवश्यकता को उजागर करता है। गोविन्द, जो परम आनंद और सच्चे ज्ञान के प्रतीक हैं, की वंदना के साथ शुरू होते हुए, ये श्लोक मानवीय जन्म प्राप्त करने, मुक्ति की गहरी लालसा और प्रबुद्ध प्राणियों की संगति की दुर्लभता को दर्शाते हैं। आत्म और अनात्म के बीच के विवेक की महत्त्वता को रेखांकित किया गया है, यह दिखाते हुए कि आत्मज्ञान और मुक्ति केवल स्वज्ञान से ही प्राप्त होते हैं, न कि मात्र अनुष्ठानों से। श्लोक यह बताते हैं कि सांसारिक अस्तित्व को पार करने और अनुशासित अभ्यास, बुद्धिमान संगति और बौद्धिक जांच के माध्यम से मुक्ति प्राप्त करने के लिए स्वप्रयास की अनिवार्यता है। सच्चा अर्थ ग्राह्य विचार और सही समझ के माध्यम से प्राप्त होता है, न कि मात्र अनुष्ठानों के माध्यम से। एक सच्चे साधक को बुद्धिमत्ता, विवेक, वैराग्य और मुक्ति की प्रबल आकांक्षा दिखानी चाहिए, जिसे एक करुणामय और ज्ञानी गुरु द्वारा निर्देशित किया जाता है, जो आत्म का सत्य प्रकाशित करने में सहायता करता है, विद्या को अनुष्ठान पर प्राथमिकता देते हुए।

Important Concepts (महत्वपूर्ण अवधारणाएँ)

• Govinda (गोविन्द)
• Sadguru (सद्गुरु)
• Mukti (मुक्ति)
• ātma-anātma-vivecana (आत्म-अनात्म-विवेकन)
• Samyag-darśana (सम्यग्दर्शन)
• Jñāna (ज्ञान)

Topics

• The rarity of human birth and spiritual aspirations
• The necessity of discernment and self-realization
• Role of a guru in spiritual enlightenment
• Importance of self-effort in transcending worldly existence
• Distinction between ritualistic actions and true wisdom

Categories (वर्गीकरण)

• Defining characteristics of an ideal seeker
• Differentiating between knowledge and ritual practices
• Importance of self-effort and guidance in achieving liberation
• Teaching spiritual priorities over material and external rituals

S-V-O Tuples or Propositions as Text

Subject-Verb-Object (S-V-O) Tuples

Subject	Verb	Object
Devotee	Bows	Govinda (Supreme Teacher)
Liberation	Requires	Discernment and Self-realization
Divine Grace	Grants	Human Birth and Spiritual Aspirations
Seeker	Attains	Moksha through Self-Effort
Intelligent Seeker	Approaches	Compassionate Guru
Wise Person	Strives	Liberation through Renunciation

Slokas & Translations

Sloka 0

सर्ववेदान्तसिद्धान्तगोचरं तमगोचरम् ।
गोविन्दं परमानन्दं सद्गुरुं प्रणतोऽस्म्यहम् ॥ १ ॥

Translation: I bow to Govinda, the supreme blissful Guru, who is beyond the reach of darkness and comprehends all Vedantic truths.

Sloka 1

जन्तूनां नरजन्म दुर्लभमतः पुंस्त्वं ततो विप्रता ।
तस्माद्वैदिकधर्ममार्गपरता विद्वत्त्वमस्मात्परम् । 
आत्मानात्मविवेचनं स्वनुभवो ब्रह्मात्मना संस्थितिः ।
मुक्तिर्नो शतजन्मकोटिसुकृतैः पुण्यैर्विना लभ्यते ॥ २ ॥

Translation: Liberation is not attained without countless virtuous deeds, such as discerning the self from the non-self, self-experience, and abiding in the Self as Brahman.

Sloka 2

दुर्लभं त्रयमेवैतद्देवानुग्रहहेतुकम् ।
मनुष्यत्वं मुमुक्षुत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रयः ॥ ३ ॥

Translation: These three, which are rare and occur by the grace of the divine: human birth, the desire for liberation, and association with great souls.

Sloka 3

लब्ध्वा कथंचिन्नरजन्म दुर्लभं
तत्रापि पुंस्त्वं श्रुतिपारदर्शनम् ।
यस्त्वात्ममुक्तौ न यतेत मूढधीः
स ह्यात्महा स्वं विनिहन्त्यसद्ग्रहात् ॥ ४ ॥

Translation: Having somehow obtained the rare human birth, manhood, and the ability to discern the essence of the scriptures, if one does not strive for self-liberation, being deluded, one destroys oneself by holding onto the unreal.

Sloka 4

इतः को न्वस्ति मूढात्मा यस्तु स्वार्थे प्रमाद्यति ।
दुर्लभं मानुषं देहं प्राप्य तत्रापि पौरुषम् ॥ ५ ॥

Translation: Who indeed is more foolish than the one who neglects self-interest, having attained the rare human body and likewise, strength?

Sloka 5

वदन्तु शास्त्राणि यजन्तु देवान् 
कुर्वन्तु कर्माणि भजन्तु देवताः । 
आत्मैक्यबोधेन विनापि मुक्तिः 
न सिध्यति ब्रह्मशतान्तरेऽपि ॥ ६ ॥

Translation: Without the realization of the unity of the Self, even after hundreds of Brahma's years, liberation cannot be achieved.

Sloka 6

अमृतत्वस्य नाशास्ति वित्तेनेत्येव हि श्रुतिः ।
ब्रवीति कर्मणो मुक्तेरहेतुत्वं स्फुटं यतः ॥ ७ ॥

Translation: Indeed, the scriptures declare that immortality is not attained through wealth. It clearly explains the ineffectiveness of actions in achieving liberation.

Sloka 7

अतो विमुक्त्यै प्रयतेत्विद्वान्
संन्यस्तबाह्यार्थसुखस्पृहः सन् ।
सन्तं महान्तं समुपेत्य देशिकं
तेनोपदिष्टार्थसमाहितात्मा ॥ ८ ॥

Translation: Therefore, let the wise strive for liberation, renouncing desire for external pleasures, approaching a great and noble teacher, and focusing the mind on the teachings imparted by him.

Sloka 8

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं मग्नं संसारवारिधौ ।
योगारूढत्वमासाद्य सम्यग्दर्शननिष्ठया ॥ ९ ॥

Translation: Lift oneself from the ocean of worldly existence, having attained the state of being established in true vision through yoga.

Sloka 9

संन्यस्य सर्वकर्माणि भवबन्धविमुक्तये ।
यत्यतां पण्डितैर्धीरैरात्माभ्यास उपस्थितैः ॥ १० ॥

Translation: Renouncing all actions for liberation from the bondage of existence, let the wise and steadfast strive through the practice of self-discipline.

Sloka 10

चित्तस्य शुद्धये कर्म न तु वस्तूपलब्धये ।
वस्तुसिद्धिर्विचारेण न किंचित्कर्मकोटिभिः ॥ ११ ॥

Translation: Action is meant for the purification of the mind, not for the attainment of reality; reality is realized through discernment, not by countless actions.

Sloka 11

सम्यग्विचारतः सिद्धा रज्जुतत्त्वावधारणा ।
भ्रान्तोदितमहासर्पभयदुःखविनाशिनी ॥ १२ ॥

Translation: Correct comprehension of the rope's reality dispels the illusory fear and suffering caused by the imagined great snake.

Sloka 12

अर्थस्य निश्चयो दृष्टो विचारेण हितोक्तितः ।
न स्नानेन न दानेन प्राणायमशतेन वा ॥ १३ ॥

Translation: The truth of meaning is perceived through thoughtful analysis and beneficial sayings, not through bathing, giving, or hundreds of breathing exercises.

Sloka 13

अधिकारिणमाशास्ते फलसिद्धिर्विशेषतः ।
उपाया देशकालाद्याः सन्त्यस्मिन्सहकारिणः ॥ १४ ॥

Translation: The fruition of results especially depends on the competent individual, and means such as place and time are contributors in this.

Sloka 14

अतो विचारः कर्तव्यो जिज्ञासोरात्मवस्तुनः ।
समासाद्य दयासिन्धुं गुरुं ब्रह्मविदुत्तमम् ॥ १५ ॥

Translation: Therefore, inquiry into the true nature of the Self should be undertaken by the seeker, having approached a compassionate and supreme knower of Brahman (guru).

Sloka 15

मेधावी पुरुषो विद्वानुहापोहविचक्षणः ।
अधिकार्यात्मविद्यायामुक्तलक्षणलक्षितः ॥ १६ ॥

Translation: The intelligent and wise person, skilled in reasoning and analysis, is fit for the knowledge of the Self, being marked by the stated qualifications.

Sloka 16

विवेकिनो विरक्तस्य शमादिगुणशालिनः।
मुमुक्षोरेव हि ब्रह्मजिज्ञासायोग्यता मता॥ १७ ॥

Translation: Only one with discrimination, detachment, and virtues like calmness, who is also eager for liberation, is considered fit for inquiry into Brahman.